Share this @internewscast.com

An investigation is underway into a Boeing-manufactured United Airlines plane that experienced “stuck” rudder pedals during a landing rollout last month.

Flight 1539, which had flown from Nassau, Bahamas, experienced the mishap after touching down at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Feb. 6, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report released Thursday.

The captain of the Boeing 737-8 aircraft reported that during the landing rollout, which occurs after touchdown and before the plane slows to taxi speed, the rudder pedals did not respond to the application of foot pressure while attempting to “maintain the runway centerline,” the report said.

Instead, the pedals were “stuck” in their neutral position. 

“The captain used the nose wheel steering tiller to keep the airplane near the runway centerline while slowing to a safe taxi speed before exiting the runway onto a high-speed turn-off,” the report said.

During the high-speed turnoff, the captain asked the first officer to check his rudder pedals and he reported the same issue. Shortly after that, the rudder pedals began to operate normally, the report said.

The aircraft, carrying 155 passengers and 6 crew members, was able to park safely. No one was injured.

The flight crew then notified United Airlines maintenance of the flight control malfunction and the plane was removed from service for maintenance and troubleshooting. 

A review of the flight’s data recorder data corroborated the pilot’s account of what happened, and showed that the rudder surface position remained near its neutral position during the landing and rollout, even though the force inputs to the rudder pedals were increasing, the report said.

The data showed that about 30 seconds after touchdown, a “significant pedal force input was observed along with corresponding rudder surface movement. Afterward, the rudder pedals and rudder surface began moving as commanded and continued to function normally for the remainder of the taxi.” 

Three days later on Feb. 9, United conducted a test flight on the event airplane at Newark, and “was able to duplicate the reported rudder system malfunction.”

The NTSB was notified about the flight control issue after the flight test and an incident investigation was opened with the involvement of the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and Collins Aerospace. 

A post-incident inspection of the rudder control system “found no obvious malfunctions with the system.” When some rudder system components were removed, United conducted a second test flight and found that the rudder control system operated normally. 

NBC News has reached out to Boeing and United Airlines for comment. The investigation is ongoing. 

This marks yet another issue with Boeing’s already highly-scrutinized Max program after a Boeing-made Alaska Airlines plane door panel blew out midair over Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5.

A preliminary investigation by the NTSB found that bolts had not been installed on that door plug.

The incident prompted the FAA to temporarily ground all Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes operating in the U.S. and subsequently increase oversight over Boeing aircraft production.

On Monday, a Boeing 737-900 plane flown by United Airlines from Texas to Florida made an emergency landing after bright orange flames were seen shooting out of the plane’s engine. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
East Chatham, Chicago man billed thousands for ambulance after alleged electric bike crash along S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Shocking Ambulance Bill: East Chatham Man Faces Thousands in Charges After E-Bike Crash on S. Cottage Grove Ave

In a surprising turn of events on Chicago’s South Side, a local…
States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of a federal benefits halt

States Brace for Food Aid Crisis as Federal Benefits Set to Expire: Exploring Solutions to Bridge the Hunger Gap

Officials from Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia have committed to ensuring that food…
Eight Americans arrested in Bahamas after authorities discover 'high-powered weapons' cache, ammunition

Shocking Discovery: Eight Americans Detained in Bahamas for Hidden Arsenal of High-Powered Weapons

In a significant operation on Tuesday, eight American citizens were detained in…
Trump says he's ending trade talks with Canada over TV ads

Trump Halts Trade Negotiations with Canada in Response to Television Advertisements

In a striking development on Thursday evening, President Donald Trump declared an…
Suspect pleads not guilty to charge in hit-and-run death of 13-year-old Genesis Webber

Suspect Denies Charges in Tragic Hit-and-Run Death of 13-Year-Old Genesis Webber: Latest Court Developments

Andre Myers, 54, has entered a not guilty plea following his arrest…
King Charles, Queen Camilla pray with Pope Leo in historic step for churches and welcome respite from Epstein scandal

King Charles and Queen Camilla Engage in Historic Prayer with Pope Leo, Offering a Church Unification Milestone Amid Epstein Scandal Distraction

In a landmark visit to the Vatican, King Charles III of Britain…
Alphonso Joyner found guilty of murder in 71-year-old Woom Sing Tse's Chinatown, Chicago shooting death on 23rd Street

Alphonso Joyner Convicted in Fatal Shooting of 71-Year-Old Woom Sing Tse in Chinatown, Chicago

In a significant development from Chicago, a jury has convicted Alphonso Joyner…
Carlson and Greene Outline Five Pillars for America’s Renewal

Carlson and Greene Unveil Five Key Strategies for Revitalizing America

In their explosive discussion, journalist Tucker Carlson and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor…
Illegal immigrant truck driver in fatal California crash should never have had license: DOT report

DOT Report Reveals Fatal California Crash Involved Unlicensed Immigrant Truck Driver

In a striking report released on Thursday night, Sean P. Duffy, the…
Manhattan, IL news: Vigil held after 2 junior high students die within days, including boy on bicycle killed in semi-trailer crash

Community Gathers in Manhattan, IL to Honor Junior High Students After Tragic Losses, Including Fatal Bicycle-Semi Trailer Incident

MANHATTAN, Ill. — A close-knit community in the southwest suburbs is grappling…
Manhunt underway after college student attacked on campus following reported road rage incident: police

Authorities Launch Search Following Campus Assault on College Student Stemming from Alleged Road Rage Incident

Authorities at a Maryland university have initiated a manhunt after a student…
US chess grandmaster’s mom speaks out as questions remain over death, Russian rival faces probe

Mother of U.S. Chess Grandmaster Breaks Silence Amid Ongoing Investigation into Russian Rival Following Son’s Mysterious Death

In a heartfelt revelation, the mother of Daniel Naroditsky, a former grandmaster…